Fitting In

There were times when I was a young girl and all the way through my teenage years where I often wondered where I fit in. I was what they called in the 70’s a “tom-boy” while my brother was what horrible people called a “fairy”. We used to joke around a bit that God got our sexes mixed up. I should have been a boy, and he a girl.

Thankfully I had my awesome, brilliant, amazing, loving father step in and tell us that God does not make junk. If we are made in His image than we had better understand that He has a plan for all of us. Psalms 100:3 “Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”

My brother was born with a physical disability that required surgery on his legs to correct. it was years before he was able to learn things like riding a bike and forget about learning how to ski or ice-skate. More ankle surgeries were just not worth the risk. My brother busied himself with art in all forms. He gravitated toward writing, painting, sculpting, sewing, drawing, baking, and so on.

Thankfully I was born in an era where Doctors were slow to address ADD or ADHD. They just told my parents that I was hyperactive and that I would outgrow it. I say “thankfully” because I have a sneaking suspicion that if born today, I would be on medication for life. Having an ADD/ADHD personality has served me well as a “tom-boy”. I loved competing in everything from bike races, to figure skating competitions, in-line races, triathlons, open water swims, fitness transformation contests, marathons, cross-country running and even a kayak race.

I guess God really did have a plan. We all fit in somewhere in this world of tom-boys, fairies, geeks, musicians, athletes, artists, nerds, geniuses and idiots.

Let this one sink in a bit: Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” So go out an find a purpose or a plan and don’t worry if it fits in with the stereotypical roles you feel you must pursue. Enjoy your talents and abilities.